The Nafferton Ecological Farming Group (NEFG) at Newcastle University is seeking an Early Stage Researcher to carry out research on “Interactions between crop genotypes, antagonistic root colonizing endophytes and arbuscular mychorrizal (AM) fungi” (AM) leading to a PhD.

The post is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network INTERFUTURE and will be carried out in collaboration with the German company Inoq GmbH, a commercial producer of VA-inocula. You will travel between Newcastle and Germany, carrying out the field experiments at Nafferton Farm, Newcastle University, and laboratory and greenhouse experiments at the INOQ facilities in Northern Germany.

You will enrol for a full-time PhD at Newcastle University. You should have a good Honours degree in Agriculture, Biology or related disciplines and some experience of crop research. An MSc and/or relevant practical Work experience in horticulture/agriculture or related industries would be desirable.

This post is fixed term for 3 years full time. The post holder will be employed 50% (18 months) by Newcastle University and 50% by INOQ GmbH and will enrol for a full-time PhD at Newcastle University which will be supervised jointly by Prof Carlo Leifert and Dr Carolin Schneider.

Eligibility: Only candidates complying with the Early Stage Researcher requirements (less than 4 years of research experience following a graduation from a degree qualifying for entry to PhD) and mobility (less than 12 months spent in the UK within the last three years) are eligible in order to comply with the funding body requirements.

There is no restriction on nationality/citizenship, and international as well as EU applicants are encouraged.